Cool MateDismiss vs They talk when they should listen
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Dismiss
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
They talk when they should listen
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Dismiss
| Dismiss | They talk when they should listen | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪsˈmɪs/","/dɪsˈmɪsɪz/","/dɪsˈmɪst/","/dɪsˈmɪsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪsˈmɪs/","/dɪsˈmɪsɪz/","/dɪsˈmɪst/","/dɪsˈmɪsɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðeɪ tɔːk wɛn ðeɪ ʃʊd ˈlɪsən//🇺🇸 //ðeɪ tɔk wɛn ðeɪ ʃʊd ˈlɪsən// |
| Meaning | To let someone or something go or not consider it. | Talking instead of listening in a conversation. |
| Example | The teacher decided to dismiss the class early today. | In meetings, they talk when they should listen to feedback. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | quickly, immediately, out of hand, be unable to, cannot, not be possible to, as, from, fairly, unfairly, wrongfully, from | talk instead of listen, should listen, ignore advice, poor listening skills, many people talk |
| Antonyms | embrace, welcome, accept | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'dismiss' without an object (e.g., saying 'I dismiss' instead of 'I dismiss the idea'), Confusing with 'miss' (to fail to notice or understand), Overusing in casual speech where 'ignore' may be more appropriate | Mixing up 'talk' with 'speak'—'talk' is more informal., Using the phrase incorrectly in the past tense—remember it's a present observation., Overgeneralizing by saying 'they always talk' without the listening context. |
| Usage notes | Use 'dismiss' when you want to indicate that something is not worth consideration. It's neutral and should be avoided in very formal writing. | This phrase is often used in discussions about communication. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, especially in addressing poor listening skills. |
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Frequently asked questions: Dismiss vs They talk when they should listen
What's the difference between Dismiss and They talk when they should listen?
Dismiss: To let someone or something go or not consider it. They talk when they should listen: Talking instead of listening in a conversation.
Which is more common: Dismiss and They talk when they should listen?
Dismiss is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Dismiss: The teacher decided to dismiss the class early today. They talk when they should listen: In meetings, they talk when they should listen to feedback.
Can I use Dismiss and They talk when they should listen interchangeably?
Not always. Dismiss and They talk when they should listen are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.